Multidetection, semiquantitative method for determining biogenic amines in foods

A detection and semiquantitative determination method of eight biogenic amines (histamine, cadaverine, putrescine, phenylethylamine, tyramine, tryptamine, spermine and spermidine) in foods has been described. The complete resolution of the dansylated derivatives of amines from each other and from background interference by one-dimensional TLC was obtained by a multiple development technique. The first developing solvent system was chloroform/benzene/triethylamine (6:4:1 v/v/v) and the second one was benzene/acetone/triethylamine (10:2:1 v/v/v). Identification was achieved with the help of co-developed standards and estimation was achieved visually. As little as 5 or 10 ng of dansylamines could be detected on TLC plates, depending on the type of amine involved. About 2 h are needed for separation and quantitation of amine contents of 14 samples simultaneously. The method has been successfully used to screen fish and meat products and cheese samples for their contents of biogenic amines. The method may be used in the food industry and for routine surveillance of biogenic amines in food.